UPDATED: 2-4-11
As a blogger, I live with the constant “push/pull” of living life and writing about life. There are times when I am so into living, that I’m out of energy – or time – to find words to talk about it. It takes too much to analyze what I’d say because all my energies are put into experiencing life. There are other times when all my energies are focused on writing, but I am a bit short on the living part which I need in order to have anything worth while to say! My optimum is when the two are in balance, and I can both live and write – and it’s this that I hope for in these entries.
I’ve lived long – (age 62) – though I don’t know if I’ve lived well. As I reflect, I wonder if I allowed “fear” to keep me from experiencing more of what life had to offer me. I was born and raised in the suburbs of Philly, met my husband in college, married in 1971, and raised our one son on eastern Long Island. Right now my husband and I are in the “retirement” stage of life, and are at present “snow birds”, living the “summer” half of the year on Long Island, and the “winter” half on Hilton Head Island. I find it amusing that we have homes on the two largest barrier islands off the east coast of the US, which says something about us that needs no further explanation!
In short – I am an internet junkie, who loves digital photography, cats, blogging and music. I’ve come to my love of photography later in life, and my seriousness is reflected in the purchase of my Canon Xsi camera in 2008. I continue to covet bigger and stronger lenses for it, but get them slowly – but surely – as I’m able. Photography is my way of sharing how I see the world and what “beauty” is to me. Even when I don’t have my camera with me, in my mind, I’m always “forming photos”!
On the other hand, my love of music has been in my heart forever. I love many kinds of music from classical to classic rock. I’ve sung in church choirs since I was in elementary school, and more recently learned to play handbells, although I am not in a handbell choir at present. I’m also a flutist, and started on that path in 5th grade, and is an integral part of who I am. I often play solos in church, flute obbligatos with choir anthems, and piano/flute concerts with my friend, Claire.
On December 1, 2010 we lost our 15 year old cat, Shadow whom we loved to pieces. We’d lovingly cared for her various health issues for the last 5 years of her life: over active thyroid, and kidney failure, which included giving medication and subcutaneous infusions. Her tiny picture is on my layout next to my blog title. Her litter mate brother, Phantom died on November 29th, 2006 from an inner ear tumor.
On January 7, 2011 we added Misty and Felix to our lives – two tuxedo litter mate kittens we got from the Hilton Head Humane Association. It took them maybe 10 minutes to claim our home as theirs – and even less time for us to fall in love with them. Their picture, as well as one of Phantom and Shadow as kittens are pictured on the sidebar of this blog.
The internet changed my life in far reaching ways. I often wonder how different my life would have been if had not embraced the internet. First and foremost – I’ve met so many people online, a few of whom have transitioned into “Real Life” friends. I also think about how much I would have enjoyed blogging during my younger years in school – or when raising my son. I remember especially craving more “connections” during those years. I began online life in 1994 on CompuServe’s forums. When that service waned, I moved from there to various internet spots. Today I’ve embraced social networking (on Facebook), have a non public journal, and a site on Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/sweetmeow/ for my photos. Now it’s time that I embark on public blogging right here.
My life is more often than not, mundane and routine. It’s my opinion that most lives really are. I’m not sure anyone could handle high drama on a day to day basis. Yet — these small things have meaning and bring many thoughts to mind, which I reflect upon here. Join me in these musings….! 
I was doing some geneology investigation and came across your images on flickr of Adam Eckfeldt. My grandmother was Jacob Eckfeldt’s daughter, Dorothy (later married to Harold Meidell). I was interested in what your relation is.
Thank-you.
Linda, you must have seen my images on Flickr from our family reunion last May. I would love to correspond with you and share information. May I write you at the aol address which you gave when you commented here?
You have lots of great nature photos here
I nominated you for the ‘One Lovely Blog Award’. For details check out http://ekphotoartgallery.wordpress.com/2012/05/30/the-one-lovely-blog-award/
Thank you so much. I truly am flattered that you nominated me!
I don’t know if I am going to be able to complete what is required. I am relatively new to blogging, and am not following, nor am being followed by too many at this moment – at least to the extent that others have. I admit I haven’t nurtured it, either. In short – I’m not sure I have 15 bloggers to give this award! So — I sadly opt out.
Again, I am very appreciative that you saw here “one lovely blog”. Thank you again! I hope you will stick around and read and enjoy my entries — and I have your blog on my blogroll. I know I will be enjoying it!
Oh no problem
It’s never too late, though. Should you expand your connections, you can always participate at a later date. Thanks for enjoying my blog! I love all your bird photos!
Came across your blog searching for other women golfers and found we have a couple more things in common. We live in Massachusetts but have a vacation condo in Hilton Head on Folly Field Beach. I am jealous you spend half of your year there! It is paradise! I also just recently started working more on my lifelong passion of photography. Love your HHI photos.
Small world! And – we really do have a lot in common. I have quickly looked over your blog – and read your entry about golf – and I SO relate. I also relate to that insomnia! Oh yes! I’ll be commenting on that soon. (Gotta run – been on the computer too long – laterz…)
One of my good friends on Hilton Head lives a few blocks from Folly Field in a cute little “beachy” cottage! She loves photography also, and occasionally we get together for a sunrise “photo walk” on Folly Field Beach. I have a few entries here taken on Folly Field – do a tag search… Also – one year my college (Lycoming college – Williamsport, PA) had an alumni gathering at someone’s upper story condo which looked down onto Folly Field Beach. Oh! My! – what a fabulous location. You’re right … paradise! So – I’m familiar. We live in Hilton Head plantation.
I don’t play much golf in Hilton Head, probably due to my increasing lack of interest. But – we do belong to a club (Bear Creek GC – within Hilton Head Plantation) so my hubby can play. But – I do play occasionally with him. I really think I should stick with it – as I need the exercise. I’m under motivated on that score…
I’ve gotten more involved in the Camera Club on the island and take part in their monthly competitions (I don’t win any ribbons – just do it for the experience) and other activities and learning events. They have a “store front” in Pineland Mall called “The Lens” which is there for the public (open several afternoons a week for a few hours) – and for classes and other camera club events.
Enough…!
Yes..such a small world! We’ve played at Country Club of Hilton Head in Hilton Head plantation. It is a nice course for me…not too difficult. Maybe our paths will cross some day! Since we are still working (me, part-time), we can only get to HHI a couple of times a year. Usually we go in the spring and fall, for me, those are the best times on the island. We hope to spend more time there once my husband retires.
I’ve played Country Club of Hilton Head – but a very long time ago when we invited Ray’s golf foursome to Hilton Head quite a number of years ago. Also my husband’s parents (who used to own the house we now own) had a social membership there and occasionally – when we visited them – we’d go there for dinner. That is also a very long time ago… I remember it as a nice course – not too complex – but kind of long, if I remember correctly.
Ray retired (rather early) in 2001. I’m 62 and Ray is 66 now, so we’ve been doing the snowbird thing for a number of years now. I agree with you that fall and spring are the best times. We usually get down there by November (usually right after election day) – and leave in mid May. I admit I’m torn, as I like autumn and fall foliage on Long Island – which is in early November.
At some point (I don’t know when) we may move permanently to Hilton Head. We still feel a draw to Long Island, as our son – for now – has settled there.
And – I, too hope that our paths cross some day!!